Outdoor Research Contact Gloves

Petzl Laser Speed and Laser Speed Light Ice Screws

Petzl’s Laser Speed ($60) and Laser Speed Light ($75) ice screws bite into ice with only half a turn thanks to a new tooth design, and the plastic knobs won’t freeze fingers. The difference between the two? The Laser Speed’s tube is steel; the Laser Speed Light’s is aluminum.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

Mammut Trion Light Pack

The rolltop alpine Mammut Trion Light pack ($180) may be spartan and lean, but the aluminum butterfly frame carries a full load comfortably. The removable, expandable lid offers overstuffing room for a walk into base camp, then pares down easily for the ascent.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

Cassin X-Dream Ice Tool

The pick angle on Cassin’s X-Dream ice tool ($280) can be switched in seconds, and the handle is micro-adjustable to fit thinner or thicker gloves.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

Black Diamond Xenos Harness

The waist belt on the Black Diamond Xenos harness ($130) conforms to your body and, even better, doesn’t absorb water, so it won’t freeze. Plus, it has six—not the usual four—ice-clipper slots.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

Scarpa Rebel Ultra GTX Boots

Scarpa’s Rebel Ultra GTX ($539) was designed with the help of über-mountaineer Ueli Steck. It’s perhaps the lightest traditional ice boot ever made—running-shoe comfortable, with a carbon-fiber insole for extra stiffness and a bit of insulation for warmth.

Photo: Inga Hendrickson

Black Diamond Stinger Crampons

With a low-profile toe bail and shorter heel wire, Black Diamond’s Stinger crampons ($210) offer superb contact with slim modern boots. And if you climb often enough to wear out parts, you can swap in new front points ($14).